Due to finishing in first in their respective conferences LAFC & Philly both skip the first round of playoffs and will begin on Thursday, October 20th. Both teams are heavily favoured to win but in a one game takes all situation anything can happen. For now, round one begins this weekend and all games are being broadcast on TSN.
Saturday, October 15:
Cincinnati @ Red Bulls NY 12pm Cincinnati have never beat the Red Bulls..unless we are going back to when they were a part of USL and they beat the Red Bulls II. This is going to be a mind game for them as much as it is experience since they have never had a playoff game. They do have 64 goals scored which is 4th overall though and Acosta lead the league in assists. I still expect Red Bulls to win once again here.
Nashville @ LA Galaxy 3pm Looks like this will only be their 3rd meeting, LA have won 1 and the tied last month. LA somehow snuck into a home field advantage when only a few weeks ago they were outside a playoff spot when they came to BMO. I expect Nashville will do to LA what they did to us in the playoffs two years ago and steal the win.
Sunday, October 16:
RSL @ Austin 3pm Austin have shown some dominance this year 65 goals scored and 3rd only behind Philly and LAFC. For their 2nd year in the league they put together quite a good run and were pushing for the supporters shield the majority of the time. I expect them to win this game and move on.
Orlando @ Montreal 8pm They havent played each other since February & May, both teams won a game. Montreal has put up record breaking numbers in their best season. They have only had one loss since July 16th. Orlando on the other hand has looked shaky, giving up 13 goals in their last 6 (that includes a clean sheet against us). I expect Montreal should take this game if they are at full strength with Quioto back.
Monday, October 17:
Miami @ NYCFC 7pm NYC will be playing away (red bulls arena) even though they are the home team here. Will this factor into anything? Besides a regular size pitch and better viewing angles for anyone watching. NYC have steadied out a bit over the last month without suffering a loss. However, Miami have also picked things up (despite their loss on the weekend to Montreal). This game could go either way. My guess is Miami upset the former champs and move on to play Montreal in a re-match of last weekends decision day game.
Minnesota @ Dallas 9:30pm I dont watch much of Dallas (and I could be wrong about this) but from what I read on here everyone seems to $hit on them for not spending the money and yet they finished 3rd in the West. However, they did pick up Velasco, Lletget & Arriola this season and Ferreira has bee on fire with 18 goals. As for Minnesota I always thought Reynoso looked fairly decent and he just Re-signed a 3-year deal. He put up double digit goals and assists for them through the season. I think this will be a close game but Dallas will win.